Remember Odessa: Protesters across Europe recall May 2 massacre

People across Europe held protests in memory of the May 2 tragedy in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, in which nearly 50 anti-government activists died in a building set ablaze by radicals. Hundreds in Odessa decried the lack of justice for the victims.

In the Latvian capital of Riga, around 200 people came out to
remember the victims. The demonstrators gathered in front of the
Ukrainian embassy and carried black balloons which read, “Never
again” and “Remember Odessa.”

The protesters called for a fair investigation, as well as for an
unbiased perception of the crisis in eastern Ukraine from
Latvia’s government.

“We expect a change of rhetoric from the Latvian authorities.
They should stop repeating propaganda clichés taken from
Ukrainian news agencies and be more restrained in their behavior
in this regard,” said Miroslav Mitrofanov, co-chairman of
the Russian Union of Latvia.

In London, activists signed a petition addressed to the Ukrainian
embassy, calling for a thorough investigation of what happened in
Odessa on May 2.

Meanwhile, in Rome, activists proceeded with an unsanctioned
protest after failing to receive a permit from local authorities,
organizer Sergey Seregin said.

“We were around 20 people in total, including both immigrants
and Italians. Kids took part in the action. Everything was
peaceful,” he added.

More than a dozen activists came out in Zurich, holding black
balloons.

Earlier on Saturday, an international photo exhibit titled
'Odessa Massacre,' which conveys the events of May 2, was shown
in Frankfurt, Germany as 500 people gathered to protest the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO's) policies.

The exhibit had also been shown in Belgium, Spain, Serbia,
Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia,
the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India.

Odessa demands justice

Meanwhile, 400 people came out in Odessa to remember the massacre
and demonstrate against the lack of actions on behalf of local
authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The protesters carried signs stating: “We remember – We won’t
forgive.” People lit candles and released black balloons
which read “Remember Odessa” into the air to commemorate
the victims of the massacre.

“The investigation has been ongoing for four months, without
any results. Those responsible are being let go, while the
innocent people are being locked up in prisons. Odessa’s people
do not agree with this,” the organizer of the Voice of
Odessa group, Svetlana Naboka, told RIA Novosti.

According to the activist, local police attempted to prevent the
protesters’ voices from being heard, removing a loudspeaker used
by them. This caused a brief confrontation with officers, who she
claimed beat some of the activists attempting to block a police
vehicle carrying the equipment away. The protest, however, went
on peacefully.

“We want to show that people should not be afraid no matter
what,” Naboka said.

On May 2, violent clashes erupted in Odessa between rival rallies
of anti-government protesters and radicals supporting the
coup-imposed Kiev government.

The confrontation led to a tragedy that left some 50 people dead
and about 250 injured, as nationalists burnt a protester camp and
then set fire to the Trade Unions House with anti-Kiev activists
trapped inside.

The actual death toll could be much higher, as many of those who
managed to escape the flames were then either strangled or beaten
with bats by radicals, according to numerous witness reports.